PREVIEW: Cards vs. Irish

This is a very solid match-up on paper. Louisville comes off its 1st true BYE week of the season and played perhaps its most complete game of the season on the road at Boston College two weeks ago. The Cards lost starting Quarterback Will Gardner in the game, but Louisville has had freshman Quarterback Reggie Bonnafon in for long stretches due to injuries to Gardner this season. Reggie was outstanding against Boston College and was very effective against a very good BC defense.

Now another road test for the Cards, on Senior Day in Notre Dame Stadium is another story. Once the game gets kicked off, the bagpipes, the band, the cold, and Touchdown Jesus are just peripheral noise….between the lines this is set up to be a very good game.

The Irish can move the football. Louisville’s Defense is one of the best in the country. Louisville’s offense has been getting better week to week and the Irish are dealing with a ton of injuries and have had a rough 3-game stretch. Everett Golson is a play-maker that has a tendency to turn the ball over and the Cards are one of the top teams in the nation at gaining turnovers. DeVante Parker is the best wide receiver in college football and Notre Dame’s passing defense will be the 3rd worst Louisville has played this season. Starting to add up?

I do think Notre Dame will move the ball and they are one of the top 3rd down teams in the nation. But I also think the Cardinal pass rush and secondary will give the Irish too many problems, especially once Notre Dame stops trying to run the ball against the impossible Louisville rushing defense. Once ND goes one-dimensional we’ll have a ballgame because the Irish will stop wasting downs in the running game. If the Cards can force some turnovers during this time, game over. If Everett Golson starts making plays, buckle up.

In the end Louisville’s offense should take another step forward on Saturday. Bonnafon is really finding a rhythm and the BYE week is only going to help him. I think the Cards win this one pulling away late for a 27-13 victory.

The reasons for my prediction are detailed below.

Stat Comparison: Cards vs. Irish

Louisville

Notre Dame

Scoring Offense (ppg)

31.6 (51st)

35.4 (28th)

Total Offense (ypg)

387.4 (75th)

465.1 (28th)

Passing Offense (ypg)

239.3 (55th)

304.4 (15th)

Rushing Offense (ypg)

148.10 (86th)

160.7 (68th)

Scoring Defense (ppg)

17.8 (10th)

27.1 (66th)

Total Defense (ypg)

285.7 (5th)

383.2 (55th)

Passing Defense (ypg)

198.3 (28th)

232.6 (75th)

Rushing Defense (ypg)

87.40 (2nd)

150.6 (51st)

Punt Returns (ypr)

7.27 (72nd)

6.75 (83rd)

Kickoff Returns (ypr)

22.35 (41st)

20.43 (68th)

Opponent Punt Returns (ypr)

9.04 (92nd)

3.57 (15th)

Opponent Kickoff Returns (ypr)

22.63 (100th)

20.18 (51st)

Punting (ypp)

40.76 (76th)

41.32 (64th)

Field Goal %

81.3% (27th)

57.9% (111th)

Opponent Field Goal %

87.5% (116th)

64.7% (34th)

First Downs (per game)

20.0 (83rd)

25.0 (15th)

Opponent First Downs (per game)

14.7 (5th)

20.3 (60th)

Penalties (ypg)

52.5 (63rd)

40.1 (19th)

Turnover Margin (season)

+7 (18th)

-2 (77th)

Time of Possession

32:55.4 (11th)

30:25.60 (54th)

Sacks (per game)

3.30 (8th)

1.80 (82nd)

Sacks Allowed (per game)

2.90 (107th)

2.10 (65th)

Tackles for Loss (per game)

7.00 (25th)

5.80 (70th)

Tackles for Loss Allowed (per game)

7.50 (119th)

6.00 (61st)

Interceptions (season)

22 (1st)

15 (10th)

Passes Defended (per game)

6.50 (5th)

4.50 (62nd)

Fumbles Recovered (season)

3 (112th)

6 (79th)

Fumbles Forced (season)

4 (117th)

9 (50th)

Fumbles Lost (season)

14 (126th)

11 (109th)

Kicks/Punts Blocked (season)

1 (57th)

5 (3rd)

3rd Down Conversions (%)

37.82% (88th)

46.98% (18th)

Opponent 3rd Down Conversions (%)

28.67% (5th)

36.67% (40th)

4th Down Conversions (%)

55.56% (44th)

53.85% (48th)

Opponent 4th Down Conversions (%)

16.67% (3rd)

45.00% (42nd)

Red Zone Conversions (%)

84.44% (55th)

81.63% (78th)

Opponent Red Zone Conversions (%)

69.23% (5th)

86.49% (95th)

RedZone TD Conversions (%)

68.89% (26th)

67.35% (33rd)

Opponent Red Zone TD Conversions (%)

38.46% (3rd)

70.27% (117th)

Kickoffs (ypk)

63.00 (19th)

63.09 (18th)

Plays

723 (10 games)

753 (10 games)

Yards Per Play

5.36 (81st)

6.18 (36th)

Notre Dame Offense vs. Louisville Defense

Notre Dame Offense

Total Defense

Notre Dame Gained vs.

Deviation from Avg.

% Gained of Avg

Rice

382.3

576

193.7

150.67%

Michigan

300.8

280

-20.8

93.09%

Purdue

422

398

-24

94.31%

Syracuse

344.3

523

178.7

151.90%

Stanford

277.7

370

92.3

133.24%

North Carolina

511.6

519

7.4

101.45%

Florida State

385.8

470

84.2

121.82%

Navy

427.3

533

105.7

124.74%

Arizona State

406.7

487

80.3

119.74%

Northwestern

386.1

498

111.9

128.98%

Average

80.94

121.99%

Notre Dame’s Offense regularly outperforms its opponents’ average yardage allowed. The Irish gain 81 yards more per game than its opponents have typically allowed on the season or 122%. Just 2 teams, early in the season, held Notre Dame below its team average allowed by a small margin.

Louisville allows 285.7 yards per game, just behind Stanford (277.7) who Notre Dame was able to exceed by 92 yards. Louisville will be the 2nd best defense the Irish has faced in 2014, and based on this data we should expect Notre Dame to gain 348-367

Louisville Defense

Total Offense

Louisvile Allowed vs.

Deviation from Avg.

% Gained of Avg

Miami (FL)

442.4

244

-198.4

55.15%

Virginia

383.5

285

-98.5

74.32%

FIU

306.5

205

-101.5

66.88%

Wake Forest

204.6

100

-104.6

48.88%

Syracuse

356.8

260

-96.8

72.87%

Clemson

407.3

229

-178.3

56.22%

NC State

397.3

351

-46.3

88.35%

Florida State

446.6

574

127.4

128.53%

Boston College

399.1

332

-67.1

83.19%

Average

-84.9

74.93%

The Cards have the #5 Total Defense in the nation and are 9 for 9 in holding opponents below their average yards gained on offense. Louisville holds teams to 85 yards fewer than average or just 75%.

Notre Dame averages 465.1 yards and is 28th in the nation in Total Offense. The Irish will be the best offensive team that Louisville will play in 2014 and it will be interesting to see if Louisville’s 1st half against Florida State is the truth……or if it is the 2nd half. We may get our answer on Saturday, but given this set of data we can expect that ND will gain 348-380.

Defense/Offense Summary

Both sets of data suggest that Notre Dame will gain 348 yards on the low end, but surprisingly it’s Louisville’s Defense set of data suggests that the Irish could reach 380 yards. None of this takes into account turnovers, something Louisville is one of the best in the country at gaining & Notre Dame one of the most generous. Also Everett Golson injured his AC joint in his shoulder which could cause ND to change some of its typical play-calling and perhaps even take some zip off of Golson’s passes……Everett has not missed time in practice however.

Fighting Irish Passing Offense vs. Cardinal Passing Defense

ND Passing Offense

Passing Defense

Notre Dame Gained vs.

Deviation from Avg.

% Gained of Avg

Rice

232.4

295

62.6

126.94%

Michigan

197.6

226

28.4

114.37%

Purdue

236.3

259

22.7

109.61%

Syracuse

217

362

145

166.82%

Stanford

171.5

241

69.5

140.52%

North Carolina

283.4

300

16.6

105.86%

Florida State

246.1

313

66.9

127.18%

Navy

231.3

315

83.7

136.19%

Arizona State

233.2

446

212.8

191.25%

Northwestern

217.4

287

69.6

132.01%

Average

77.78

135.08%

Everett Golson might get some grief for his turnovers, but his production through the air is undeniable. Golson gains 78 more yards or 135% of what opponents normally allow through the air. ND has gained more than opponents allow in EVERY game in 2014.

Louisville allows an average of 198.3 yards per game through the air. The Irish have played two teams better than the Cards in passing defense in 2014 (Michigan & Stanford) and given what we know here ND should be expected to gain 267-276 yards through the air on Saturday…….that is A LOT for what the Cards usually allow, but the Irish have done this all season.

UofL Passing Defense

Passing Offense

Louisville Allowed vs.

Deviation from Avg.

% Gained of Avg

Miami (FL)

245.4

174

-71.4

70.90%

Virginia

241.5

171

-70.5

70.81%

FIU

178.2

117

-61.2

65.66%

Wake Forest

170.5

122

-48.5

71.55%

Syracuse

199.4

201

1.6

100.80%

Clemson

267.7

157

-110.7

58.65%

NC State

207.8

223

15.2

107.31%

Florida State

318.3

401

82.7

125.98%

Boston College

135.1

166

30.9

122.87%

Average

-25.77

88.28%

Louisville has in the last 3 games allowed teams to gain more than average, but on the year the Cards allow just 88.28% or 26 yards less than teams usually gain through the air. Still Louisville has allowed just 3 teams to gain more than 200 yards in 2014 and just 1 team has gained 225.

Notre Dame averages 304.4 yards per game through the air and is the 2nd best (FSU) passing team the Cards will have faced thus far in 2014. Given the data, the Irish should expect to gain 268-278 yards, virtually agreeing with the above set.

Passing Game Summary

If Notre Dame can throw for 260-270+ yards this ballgame could be tilted in the Irish’s favor. The trends say that ND will be able to be very effective through the air, but as someone who has watched the Cards all season and knowing the pass rush & secondary that Louisville has, I’d be surprised if the Irish actually do achieve this. As always in these data-driven previews, players play and stats can sometimes tell the story. In the end, I think Notre Dame throws for slightly less (around 225) but the data discovery is noted for reference later. Also, Louisville’s run defense vs. ND’s rush defense (as we are about to discover) may force the Irish to be one-dimensional, forcing more attempts.

ND Rushing Offense vs. UofL Rushing Defense

Irish Rushing Offense

Rushing Defense

Notre Dame Gained vs.

Deviation from Avg.

% Gained of Avg

Rice

149.9

281

131.1

187.46%

Michigan

103.2

54

-49.2

52.33%

Purdue

185.7

139

-46.7

74.85%

Syracuse

127.3

161

33.7

126.47%

Stanford

106.2

129

22.8

121.47%

North Carolina

228.2

219

-9.2

95.97%

Florida State

139.7

157

17.3

112.38%

Navy

196

218

22

111.22%

Arizona State

173.5

41

-132.5

23.63%

Northwestern

168.7

211

42.3

125.07%

Average

3.16

103.09%

Notre Dame has been all over the place running the football in 2014. The Irish have rushed for over 200 yards on four occasions in 2014, but have been held under 60 twice. That’s unusual, but ND has gained more than opponents usually allow on the ground in 6 of 10 games thus far in 2014 and average a small increase of 3 yards more or 104% of their opponents rushing allowed average.

Louisville is the #2 Run Defense in the nation, allowing just 87.40 yards per game. Given what we know, Notre Dame will probably gain about 90 yards on the ground Saturday in Notre Dame Stadium.

Cardinal Rushing Defense

Rushing Offense

Louisville Allowed vs.

Deviation from Avg.

% Gained of Avg

Miami (FL)

197

70

-127

35.53%

Virginia

142

114

-28

80.28%

FIU

128.27

88

-40.27

68.61%

Wake Forest

34.1

-22

-56.1

-64.52%

Syracuse

157.4

59

-98.4

37.48%

Clemson

139.6

72

-67.6

51.58%

NC State

189.45

128

-61.45

67.56%

Florida State

128.3

173

44.7

134.84%

Boston College

264

166

-98

62.88%

Average

-59.12

52.69%

Louisville’s Run Defense has been dominant. The Cards almost halve opposing offense’s running game production on the year and in only one instance (FSU) have the Cards allowed more than averaged on the season.

Notre Dame’s Running Offense gains 160.70 yards per game and is the 4th best rushing team Louisville will have played thus far in 2014. We shouldn’t expect that the Irish will have much more success on the ground than anyone else and the data suggests that ND will gain 84-101 yards against the Cards.

Running Offense/Defense Summary

I don’t think Notre Dame will be able to run the ball very much against the Cards….and I also am not sure how much the Irish will try in an attempt to maximize downs. The last 3 games UofL has allowed over 128 yards with NC State gaining a great deal in garbage time and Boston College being a primary running team. Florida State is the real outlier as the Noles broke off big run after big run without Pio Vatuvei in the line-up for the Cards. Pio will return for UofL and if Notre Dame can gain healthy yardage on the ground against the Cards, game over. But I don’t expect it.

Overall ND Offense vs. UofL Defense Summary

Notre Dame is a good offense, Louisville is a good defense. This is a test of strength on strength on the football field. The conditions should be about 40 degrees with a 50/50 shot at rain and about a 14 mph wind. That is edging out of decent conditions for passing, but it is still acceptable.

The data presented seems to agree with seasonal trends on both sides of the ball (the first time all year that I’ve been doing this) so the question becomes, how healthy is Everett Golson’s shoulder? If Golson can throw the ball and the conditions allow him to, we could have a game. Also, what Louisville defense shows up? The one from the 1st half against FSU or the 2nd half against the Noles? These factors will determine how well Notre Dame can move the ball.

The addition of Lorenzo Mauldin, Pio Vatuvei, a week off for James Burgess, Deiontrez Mount, and Keith Kelsey (who all got repeatedly cut blocked against BC) is all HUGE. Even Trumaine Washington is back in the mix at Corner. Louisville finally got a true BYE week and now they will go against a very potent offense with a tendency to turn the ball over. I like Louisville in this match-up, but I think Notre Dame will take their shots and have some success but I don’t think it will be consistent enough to turn this game into a shoot-out.

Louisville Offense vs. Notre Dame Defense

Louisville Offense

Total Defense

Louisville Gained vs.

Deviation from Avg.

% Gained of Avg

Miami (FL)

323

336

13

104.02%

Virginia

347.8

282

-65.8

81.08%

FIU

372.6

336

-36.6

90.18%

Wake Forest

373.8

421

47.2

112.63%

Syracuse

344.3

352

7.7

102.24%

Clemson

262.1

264

1.9

100.72%

NC State

388.2

369

-19.2

95.05%

Florida State

385.8

488

102.2

126.49%

Boston College

323.5

423

99.5

130.76%

Average

16.66

104.80%

As you can see Louisville has really performed very close to what opposing defenses have allowed in 2014. On average, Louisville either gains about +14 yards more or just 94.32% of what Defenses give up on the year.

Given that Notre Dame allows 383.2 yards per game, we can expect that Louisville will gain 400-402 yards on Saturday. If we focus in on games that Reggie Bonnafon started: Wake Forest, Syracuse, & Clemson then we can actually raise that to 403-440 yards per game. Wake, Syracuse, and Clemson actually are all better defenses than Notre Dame statistically, and the Irish are just slightly better on defense than NC State & Florida State.

Notre Dame Defense

Total Offense

Notre Dame Allowed vs.

Deviation from Avg.

% Gained of Avg

Rice

396.4

367

-29.4

92.58%

Michigan

322.6

289

-33.6

89.58%

Purdue

347.2

290

-57.2

83.53%

Syracuse

356.6

429

72.4

120.30%

Stanford

378.4

205

-173.4

54.18%

North Carolina

430.6

510

79.4

118.44%

Florida State

446.6

323

-123.6

72.32%

Navy

447

454

7

101.57%

Arizona State

464.8

412

-52.8

88.64%

Northwestern

345.1

547

201.9

158.50%

Average

-10.93

97.96%

The Irish, have really allowed opponents to do what they typically do for the season offensively. To date, The Irish’s best two defensive games came against Stanford and Florida State and a fresh off the worst defensive performance of the season vs. Northwestern who burned ND both from the ground and the air.

Louisville’s Offense averages 387.4 yards per game and given Notre Dame’s defense performance in 2014, we can expect that Louisville will gain between 376-379 yards. which falls in line with what we discovered while examining Louisville’s offensive performance above.

The Cardinal offense will be 6th best (of 11) offenses that Notre Dame has faced this year (statistically).

Cardinal Passing Offense vs. Irish Passing Defense:

UofL Passing Offense

Passing Defense

Louisville Gained vs.

Deviation from Avg.

% Gained of Avg

Miami (FL)

192.9

206

13.1

106.79%

Virginia

229.2

203

-26.2

88.57%

FIU

212.3

324

111.7

152.61%

Wake Forest

180.3

206

25.7

114.25%

Syracuse

217

174

-43

80.18%

Clemson

155.2

212

56.8

136.60%

NC State

199.4

203

3.6

101.81%

Florida State

246.1

330

83.9

134.09%

Boston College

226.9

257

30.1

113.27%

Average

28.41

114.24%

Despite playing both Reggie Bonnafon & Will Gardner at different times during 2014, Louisville actually performs better than what defenses typically allow in the air by a decent margin. Notre Dame allows 232.6 yards per game passing, and will be the 8th best (of 10) passing defenses Louisville has faced in 2014. The Cards have faced four different Top 30 Passing Offenses in 2014 and still exceed the average allowed on the season.

Given what we know we can expect that the Cards will gain 259-261 yards through the air. When we strip it down to just games that Reggie Bonnafon has started, Wake, Syracuse & Clemson that number changes to 245-256 yards.

Louisville has had 4 consecutive games that exceeded the average allowed of their opponents including 6 of the last 7 opponents.

ND Passing Defense

Passing Offense

Notre Dame Allowed vs.

Deviation from Avg.

% Gained of Avg

Rice

211.9

226

14.1

106.65%

Michigan

168.5

189

20.5

112.17%

Purdue

187.5

234

46.5

124.80%

Syracuse

199.4

294

94.6

147.44%

Stanford

233.2

158

-75.2

67.75%

North Carolina

290.3

326

35.7

112.30%

Florida State

318.3

273

-45.3

85.77%

Navy

92.2

118

25.8

127.98%

Arizona State

281.7

224

-57.7

79.52%

Northwestern

219.9

284

64.1

129.15%

Average

12.31

109.35%

Notre Dame’s Passing Defense is similar, the Irish allow about 12 yards more than opponents usually gain on the season, but Notre Dame’s passing defense has been much more volatile throughout the season. These averages will likely be more bullish, but given the season average of Louisville passing for 239.3 yards per game, we should be able to expect that the Cards will gain about 251-261 yards against the Irish.

This expectation falls very close in line with the UofL Passing Offense equation so we should expect the Cards to have a pretty good day in the air on Saturday.

UofL Rushing Offense vs. ND Rushing Defense

Louisville Rushing Offense

Rushing Defense

Louisville Gained vs.

Deviation from Avg.

% Gained of Avg

Miami (FL)

130.1

130

-0.1

99.92%

Virginia

118.6

79

-39.6

66.61%

FIU

160.36

12

-148.36

7.48%

Wake Forest

193.5

215

21.5

111.11%

Syracuse

127.3

178

50.7

139.83%

Clemson

106.9

52

-54.9

48.64%

NC State

188.82

166

-22.82

87.91%

Florida State

139.7

158

18.3

113.10%

Boston College

96.6

166

69.4

171.84%

Average

-11.76

94.05%

Louisville has been able to run the ball much better recently after posting 5 of its last 6 games over 100 yards. Louisville has played 6 teams in the Top 36 in Rush Defense and average less than what their opponents usually allow by a small margin. Notre Dame will be the 7th best (of 10) Rush Defense Louisville has played in 2014 allowing 150.60 yards per game.

The statistical expectation is for the Cards to gain 139-142 yards against the Irish.

Notre Dame Rushing Defense

Rushing Offense

Notre Dame Allowed vs.

Deviation from Avg.

% Gained of Avg

Rice

184.5

141

-43.5

76.42%

Michigan

154.1

100

-54.1

64.89%

Purdue

159.7

56

-103.7

35.07%

Syracuse

157.4

135

-22.4

85.77%

Stanford

145.2

47

-98.2

32.37%

North Carolina

140.3

184

43.7

131.15%

Florida State

128.3

50

-78.3

38.97%

Navy

354.8

336

-18.8

94.70%

Arizona State

183.1

188

4.9

102.68%

Northwestern

125.2

263

137.8

210.06%

Average

-23.26

87.21%

Notre Dame has allowed over 180 yards on the ground the last 3 games. The Navy & Arizona State games were not out of the ordinary BUT the Northwestern game where the Irish allowed 263 yards to the 107th Rushing Offensive team in the nation, IS ALARMING. Notre Dame’s defensive front was not healthy against the Wildcats and won’t be against the Cards either, but this is a trend to take note of.

Still despite recent play Notre Dame’s season average is to hold the Running Game under control to much less than opponents are accustomed to. Louisville averages 148.10 on the ground and data tells us that Louisville should gain about 125-129 on the ground in Notre Dame Stadium.

Louisville Offense vs. Notre Dame Defense Summary

What we need to discover is how well Reggie Bonnafon will play on the road against Notre Dame. The Irish and Cards line up with expectations both running and throwing the football but Louisville’s freshman Quarterback and Notre Dame’s recent performance stopping the run are the big evaluators. My eyes tell me that the Cards will probably run about 50 yards better than indicated with the addition of Reggie Bonnafon at Quarterback who might make up that difference himself.

In the air, well, that depends on the game. We saw against Boston College how Petrino called his offense with a lead and a freshman quarterback on the road…..Petrino relied on his defense to put his team in high percentage opportunities. If Louisville gets the lead early, Bonnafon may not throw more than 25 times against Notre Dame.

Breaking Down Reggie Bonnafon’s Possessions

Reggie Bonnafon’s true freshman season has had its ups and downs. But against Boston College, which ranks #16 in the nation and is the 3rd Best (Clemson #3, Miami #15) defense that Louisville has played this season, Reggie Bonnafon bucked his trend for the year. Against Notre Dame Reggie must continue the great play he had on the road in Boston in order to beat the Irish.

For the season Reggie Bonnafon averages 4.62963 plays per possession and averages 19.1667 yards per possession. Here is a breakdown of Bonnafon led possessions for the Cards in 2014 (FBS opponents only):

–54 drives-3 at End of Game-1 at End of Half-27 punts-7 turnovers (2 Defensive TDs)-2 Missed Field Goals-4 Made Field Goals-10 Touchdowns-19 THREE & OUTs

In the Boston College game, Reggie Bonnafon led possessions were 4 Touchdowns, 2 punts and the final possession was a series of kneel downs to end the game. Those 4 TDs account for 40% of his Touchdown led drives on the season, and are also 4 of his 16 (25%) scoring opportunities on the season.

There were 2 Three & OUTs against BC, pushing Reggie led drives to 19 of 50 (end of half & end of game drives excluded) that were THREE & OUT for the Cards. 38% of drives going 3 plays and off the field is WAY too high. But Bonnafon is a freshman, which is why Reggie scoring Touchdowns on 67% of his possessions against Boston College with the 16th best defense in the country is a really big deal.

Reggie is trending the right way and the key for Reggie seems to be getting the 1st down on the first set of downs. When you take away all of Bonnafon’s THREE AND OUTs, reducing his usable drives to just 31 drives, Reggie has just 8 punts but 10 TDs and 6 Field Goal tries.

By far the most encouraging drive of the year for Reggie was the 1st drive of the 3rd quarter against Boston College, 14 plays, 75 yards, over 7 minutes and a Touchdown pass to Eli Rogers. On the season Reggie has just 8 possessions that have gone 7 plays or more (9 if you count End of Syracuse) and of those eight possessions the Cards have 4 TDs, 3 Punts, & a Missed FG. On all 3 occasions when the Cards punted after a 7+ play drive, penalties killed the drive. Against BC, UofL had penalties on 3 of 6 drives…..that MUST get corrected.

Going into Notre Dame Reggie Bonnafon has an opportunity to show if he can continue his great play vs. Boston College. Reggie will have had two weeks to prepare for the Irish defense that allows 60 more yards per game than BC. We will see if Bonnafon can get it done again on the road.

Reggie 2014 Possessions (FBS Only)

Game

Plays

Yards

Reggie & (Team Penalties on drive)

Result

Virginia

4

34

3-4, 34 yards

Halftime

3

-2

Sack, -1 yard rushing, 1-1 1 yard passing

Punt

3

2

0-1 passing, 0 yards. (Ryan Mack False Start)

Punt

3

-1

2-3, 4 yards. (Ryan Mack False Start)

Punt

Wake Forest

6

32

3 rushes, 19 yards, 1-1 for 15 yards passing

Dominique Brown fumble

8

8

2-3, 24 yards passing. Sacked -7. (12 men on field)

Punt

4

31

2-2, 20 yards, (False Start Hughley), 1 rush, 0 yards, fumble

Bonnafon Fumble

5

20

2-3, 6 yards

Punt

4

-1

0-1 passing, 1 rush, 1 yard, (Eli Rogers False Start)

Missed John Wallace FG

3

-4

Sack, -7 rushing yards

Punt

5

80

2-2 30 yards (illegal formation)

Touchdown Radcliff

8

40

2-6, 34 yards; Harris drop

Missed John Wallace FG

6

26

1-3, 6 yards, 1 rush 12 yards.

Punt

2

-12

Sack -9 yards, Bonnafon Fumble recovered for WF TD

Bonnafon Fumble, Wake Forest TD

5

13

1-4, 20 yards

Punt

4

2

1-3, 1 yard

Turnover on Downs

3

18

0-1, (John Miller False Start)

Punt

10

69

2 rushes, 18 yards

Touchdown Radcliff

5

51

2-3, 50 yards

FG John Wallace

5

22

2 rushes, 5 yards

FG John Wallace

5

9

No Stats

End of Game

Syracuse

3

-4

1-1, 6 yards. Sacked -8 yards rushing

Punt

3

11

0-1 Interception

Bonnafon Interception

10

65

1-2, 21 yards; 2 rushes 8 yards rushing

Touchdown Radcliff

11

59

2-5, 26 yards, 1 rush 16 yards, (False Start, Delay of Game, Holding)

Punt

3

6

No Stats (2x Holding)

Punt

4

-7

Sack -4 (False Start)

FG John Wallace

3

7

1-2, 6 yards

Punt

3

-5

1-1, 18 yards, Sack -10 rushing (Clipping)

Punt

5

61

2-2, 43 yards; 1 rush 9 yards (False Start)

Touchdown Radcliff

6

23

1-2, 6 yards

Gerald Christian Fumble

6

15

0-1 passing 1 rush, -1 yard, fumble

Punt

8

73

3-4, 48 yards, TD to Christian

Touchdown Bonnafon to Christian

3

5

0-1, 0 yards

Punt

7

42

No stats

End of Game

Clemson

3

2

0-2, 0 yards

Punt

3

-6

0-2, 0 yards (False Start)

Punt

4

16

0-1, 0 yards

Punt

4

25

1-2, 17 yards, 1 rush 5 yards

Punt

4

1

0-1, 0 yards. 1 rush 1 yard

FG John Wallace

5

50

1-1, 39 yards, 1 rush 1-1

Touchdown Dominique Brown

3

-9

2-2, 2 yards, Sack -11 yards

Punt

3

-9

Sack -9 yards, Bonnafon Fumble recovered for Clemson TD

Bonnafon Fumble, Clemson TD

7

13

0-1, 0 yards; 2 rushes (1 Sack) -1 yard (False Start, Delay of Game)

Punt

3

3

No Stats

Punt

3

-7

Sack, -10 yards

Punt

3

4

1-1, 4 yards (Delay of Game)

Punt

Boston College

1

29

1-1, 29 yards, Touchdown to Parker (Holding Negated 12 yard rush)

Touchdown Bonnafon to Parker

14

75

3-4, 40 yards, TD to Rogers; 5 rush, 27 yards

Touchdown Bonnafon to Rogers

3

-1

2 rushes (1 Sack) 7 yards rushing (False Start)

Punt

3

27

1 rush, 4 yards

Touchdown Radcliff

3

3

1 rush, 1 yard (False Start)

Punt

2

37

1 rush, 36 yards, Touchdown

Touchdown Bonnafon

3

-6

No Stats

End of Game

Pre-Game Videos

Listening Attending Watching

-The Game will be broadcast live from Notre Dame Stadium (80,795) at 3:30 p.m. on NBC with play-by-play from Dan Hicks, Mike Mayock (analyst), and Kathryn Tappen on the sideline. There is an hour pre & post-game shows featuring Liam McHugh, Mike Mayock, and Hines Ward.

-WHAS 840 AM in Louisville will broadcast the game on the radio in association with Learfield Sports Network with legendary voice Paul Rogers, Craig Swabek, and Doug Ormay.

-On Satellite Radio Sirius Channel 129, XM Channel 129

-The Notre Dame radio broadcast is on 117 affiliates with Don Criqui, Allen Pinkett, and Jeff Jeffers and can be heard in South Bend on 96.1 FM, 960 AM, and 101.5 FM.

Since 1931, every Notre Dame football team has walked down the same tunnel, to the same field before every home football game. Every Irish fan has the opportunity to walk the same fabled walk every Irish player has taken for the past 81 years. Come experience the North Tunnel of Notre Dame Stadium, take pictures with the field in the background, and feel the echoes waiting to be awoke. Free and open to the public.

The Notre Dame Stadium tunnel tour will be open from 10:00am until 5:00pm, except during team walk-throughs.

The Marching Band steps off from the steps of the Main Building toward its practice location in the parking lot south of Notre Dame Stadium.

5:45-7:00 Notre Dame vs. Louisville Pep Rally (Joyce Center)

This is a Notre Dame Pep Rally to promote their Senior Day.

8:30 -11:30 p.m. Louisville vs. Marshall GAMEWATCH (Four Winds Field)

Heading to South Bend for the Notre Dame Game? Well we have the Official Spot to watch the Cards vs. Marshall on Friday Night in South Bend!! ONLY 200 Tickets Available – 1st come 1st serve!!! J Wagner Group Presents: Cards vs. Marshall Basketball Game Watching Party in South Bend

Venue: The Upper Deck at Four Winds Field (Single A Stadium for South Bend Cubs)

We will be showing the CARDS vs. Marshall Basketball Game on ESPNU at 9pm

TICKETS ARE $25.00 & INCLUDE ADMISSION & FOOD.

Cash Bar Available & we will have some food for the game like Wings, Chicken Tenders, Meatballs, Chips, Queso, etc.

Heated Tent with TVs to watch early College Football action. Be with Louisville Fans around the corner from campus. Click Here for Details

10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. The Notre Dame Experience (Joyce Fieldhouse)

Admission is free to the dynamic and redesigned fan fest allowing fans to emulate the Irish by participating in one of the four different interactive football games. Or, fans may visit the other displays throughout the Experience to collect giveaways or samples for all ages.

Throughout the day, there will be entertainment including an autograph session with former Notre Dame football players, Notre Dame videos and programming, and visits by the Notre Dame cheerleaders and a performance by the Glee Club. Fans can enjoy concessions and drinks, pick up a souvenir from the Varsity Shop and relax in a family friendly atmosphere. The festivities will wrap up at 3 p.m. with the showing of the Notre Dame Football pregame show on NBC Sports and then the live broadcast of the game.

The Notre Dame football players and coaches will walk from the Guglielmino Complex to the Library (Touchdown Jesus), then down Library Quad into the Stadium. Line up along the sides of Library Quad to cheer on the Fighting Irish as they walk into the stadium.

2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Marching Band Concert -Bond Hall

Enjoy the sounds of the Notre Dame before it makes its journey to the stadium.